TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere calls for simplification of Garda Vetting Process

There are growing calls for a reform of the Garda vetting process following concerns over its effectiveness.

Fianna Fáil TD Peter “Chap” Cleere has argued that the current system fails to effectively support individuals applying for roles in sensitive sectors, such as schools, childcare, and education.

With the current system individuals cannot use their garda vetting from one organisation with another meaning that they must hold multiple vetting numbers at the same time.

Deputy Cleere added: “There is a serious lack of joined up thinking in relation to the process surrounding garda vetting. In 2025, with the technology that is currently available to us as a country, there has to be a simpler and slicker way of managing Garda Vetting nationally.

“The process needs to be simplified to make it as easy as possible for volunteers and organisations. Surely, once a person has been vetted once and qualified, this should be acceptable for all organisations and groups?

“Similar to a passport, once a person has been approved they could be garda vetted for a certain period of time and would have to renew accordingly, perhaps every year but the one vetting covers all organisations. It certainly needs to be examined.”